Monday, 17 January 2011 MALLEE ELECTORATE MUST NOW FOCUS ON FLOOD AND DROUGHT RECOVERY The Nationals Member for Mallee John Forrest says the resilience of Wimmera and Mallee communities has been sorely tested in recent months with crop losses, flooding and uncertainty about some commodity prices including wine grapes. “These are trying times and there are no simple solutions,” Mr Forrest said. “It breaks my heart to see the adversity delivered to our horticultural and dry land farming sectors, and now our towns. “While the Queensland floods have gained much media, Victoria has more than its fair share of grief. “The relief effort must be above politics. The important thing at this point is to make the best we can of a dire situation and ensure a speedy cleanâup and the repair of essential infrastructure. That is our challenge.” Mr Forrest said the crop damage was horrendous. “Cereal crops were looking the best for years and despite a high Australian dollar, prices are holding up extremely well, even for rain damaged grain. “In horticulture, growers in most sectors, at this point in time, do not have the luxury of higher prices to offâset the high management costs of this wet vintage. “For the longer term, our water storages are full or near full for horticulture, and there’ll be substantial subâsoil moisture to give dryâland farmers a good start for their next cropping season.” Mr Forrest said it was essential the flood relief effort by all the emergency services was not impeded by sightseers …… … … .. or politicians. “There are many good people out there working extremely hard on the immediate issues of floods and human safety. We must all give them space to achieve this objective,” he said. “However, we all remain ready to assist wherever and whenever we can.” Mr Forrest can be contacted on 0428 500 186.